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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1999Taxicab Advisory Board May 8, 1999 Board Members Present: Carol Fortson -Smith Samuel McKinley Jr. Jean Esch Al Bowie Others Present: Wally Wolff Gordon Kasten Alan Miller Nicolas Figaro Marie Figaro Staff Present: William Stafford Stephen O'Sullivan 11 Members of the Taxicab Advisory began the meeting of May 8, 1999 at 9:10 a.m. in Room 2402 in the Evanston Civic Center. Ms. Carol Fortson -Smith asked Mr. Stafford for an explanation and status report regarding the Ordinance review being conducted by city staff. Mr. Stafford reported that the Administration and Public Works Committee instructed him to have staff review the taxi ordinance to ascertain its viability. Mr. Stafford noted that the process will involve researching key issues and trends within the industry. identifying and meeting with major stakeholders and reviewing pertinent items such as cab stands, flat rates. and A.D.A. compliance. Mr. Stafford stated that when a draft is complete it would be presented to the Taxicab Advisory Board. Mr. Stafford also apprised the board of a proposed ordinance that was held in committee at the April 20, 1999 meeting. The ordinance. as proposed. would reduce the number of cabs allowed at the taxicab stand at 339 Howard Street, from S spaces to 3 spaces. Mr. Sam McKinley noted that the cab stand in question has space for 8 cabs and signs posted at the site indicate an 8 cab limit. Alan Miller of Norshore Cab Association, related the loss of businr--;s from the elimination of the cab stand on Asbury. Wally Wolff reported that the elimination of the Asbury cab stand created a huge loss of revenue especialiv with business at St. Francis. He also noted that he had consulted «ith Traffic Engineer, David Jennings on areas where new stands could be established. Mr. Stafford reiterated that cab stands were amongst the issues being studied in the ordinance review. He also reminded the Board that Alderman Rainey is concerned wrich what goes on in her ward. Ms. Jean Esch agreed that it is an ongoing concern with an alderman to keep the constituents happy. Ms. Fortson -Smith contended that the board should have been apprised of the ordinance review. She pointed out that she is not finding fault with the review or the process but she is concerned with the lack of communication. Ms. Esch agreed that it would be nice for the board to be notified of any developments regarding the taxi industry. Mr. Miller asked about how persons who are classified in more than one stakeholder groups should attend the meetings. Mr Stafford said the meetings will be covering similar issues, ho%ever. depending on those attending and their contributions there could be differences in one meeting versus another_ He suggested if an individual is a taxi driver and a license holder they should attend both meetings. Mr. Al Bou1e questioned the practicality of reducing the cab stand so significantly. He further noted that if there is a problem the taxi companies should be notified or the police should be called. Ms. Fortson -Smith reminded Mr. Bowie that the Evanston Police Department operates with a differential response and depending on priorities, dispatch delays can occur. Ms. Esch noted that the police department does not enforce the cab stand at Clark and Sherman. She reported that she very rarely sees cabs at that location because other vehicles including deliver- trucks are parked in the cab stand. Mr. McKinley asked if that area has been a problem why weren't the cab companies notified before moves are made to reduce the cab stand. Mr. Stafford agreed that the local cab companies should have input and that was the primary reason for the delay on this issue. Mr. Stafford repeated that the issue would be discussed in the AP&W Committee on Monday May 10, 1999. Mr. McKinley felt that the aldermen must work xvith the industry in order to avoid situations like the cab stand reduction. Ms. Fortson -Smith asked if alternatives were suggested by Alderman Rainey. Mr. Stafford stated that he did not think alternatives were proposed and he reminded the Board that Alderman Rainey is reacting to what is going on in her ward. Mr. Wolff expressed concern with the Gateway Development and the possibility of Chicago installing a cab stand that would eliminate Evanston's cabs from capitalizing on the economic boost the development would provide. Ms. Fortson -Smith asked if there were any other issues to discuss before she moved the meeting to an open forum. Mr. Miller, referring to the Closed Session Minutes of September 14, 1998. was concerned with Alderman Rainey's opinion of Norshore and questioned her source. Mr. Miller stated that he turns in stacks of coupons so he knows that at the very least his drivers are accepting the Senior Disabled Citizen coupons. Mr. Stafford noted that the coupon amount is low and he felt that an increase in the coupon amount would increase the rate of acceptance. Based on the preliminary research in the ordinance study the coupon amount must be revised. Ms. Fortson -Smith suggested that the fare rates should be raised then consideration should be given to adjusting the coupon amount. Mr. Wolff expressed frustration urith the enforcement of the ordinance especially with Magic Cab. Mr. Stafford stated that after the ordinance study is complete the Magic situation will be addressed. Ms. Esch told the Board that she has reviewed notes of previous meetings regarding Magic Cab and nothing has been done. The City revoked several licenses from an Evanston business without due process. She asked why was no action taken against Magic. She was also quite concerned with the Closed Session minutes not being made available. Ms. Esch maintained that there is selective enforcement of the taxicab ordinance. Nis. Fortson -Smith noted that a memo from the city's own legal department declared Magic's operation out of compliance with the ordinance. She stated in order for the industry to thrive all companies must be in compliance. Mr. Bo«ie explained that the City of Evanston provides tut 140 tuicabs to operate. If 303 continues to be allo%ved in to Evan_ --ton. those, 140 taxiedhs will be l*bsolctc. Nis. Esch inquired about wh} i•orth%testrrn utilizes 30: cxclusi*rh She also asked why has the City closed its eyes to the taxi issues. Mr. Stafford responded to Ms. Esch by noting that he disagreed with her regaMing the issue of due process as it relates to the license revocation that took place in 1998. He noted that Closed Session minutes are barred from release until six months have passrd. He further noted that the minutes were not deliberately withheld. Mr. Stafford explained that the attraction of 303 to Northwestern University is that 303 accepts credit cards. Northwestern issues credit card to all professors and these are utilized in all situations where expenses need to be tracked. Ms. Fortson -Smith stated that the issues of contention will not be solved in these board meetings. She suggested that the cab companies secure the services of an attorney and engage the City in litigation to rectify the issues. Mr. Miller was concerned with the lack of information that seems pervasive and he pointed out that the cab companies have internal modes for change. He also alerted the board that 303 and American have posts in Evanston that are officially noted in their training materials. Mr. Stafford explained that he has very little enforcement power. If an individual calls a cab company other than the local companies he cannot force them to utilize one of the local taxi associations. Mr. ~tiller agreed with Mr. Stafford's explanation but he is still troubled by the content of the Closed Session minutes. Ms. Fortson -Smith directed the board to the Closed Session minutes she was especially concerned with the comments of Roger Crum regarding the Magic Cab and their being technically in violation of the ordinance. She also directed attention to Mayor Morton's comments about the Taxicab Advisory Board. his. Esch stated that the Mayor appointed each member of the board. She also noted that it appears that the Mayor wants to dissolve the board. In reference to the Mayor's comments. she is amazed that the Mayor could say such things when she has never attended a meeting of the Taxicab Advisory Board. She further stated that City staff needs to improve their performance in regard to enforcement of the ordinance and the taxi companies need to create internal controls to deal with troubling situations and complaints. Ms. Esch reported a situation that occurred when she was paying a water bill at the Collector's office - she was beckoned to an adjoining window where a City staff member informed Ms. Esch that the entire Magic cab situation is racially motivated. She maintains that a former member of the board was the source of misinformation between the Mayor and Susan Sabir. Mr. Stafford apologized but due to the time he would have to leave the meeting. Ms. Fortson -Smith requested Mr. Stafford look into when the vacancies on the KxW are expected to be filled. Mr. Miller stated that the previous rate proposal that was submitted will be modifrei dine to some recent developments in the cab industry. Mr. Figaro asked Mr. Bowie to clarify his comments regarding 303 and not being able to compete. Mr. Bowie agreed that he stated that due to the illegal entry of cabs licensed outside of Evanston it is difficult to compete. Mr. Figaro informed Mr. Bowie he needs to do for himself and not rely on other people to assist his business. ` Mr. Bowie maintained that he has no problem with Magic at all. Mr. Bowie identified his problem is trying to survive in a business where he is up against a fleet of vehicles that are not licensed and inspected by the City of Evanston. He also noted that he didn't believe that when a customer contacts Magic for a cab that they always get a Magic cab. Mrs. Marie Figaro noted that all of the companies have cabs licensed elsewhere that service Evanston. Mr. Figaro added that this is a free market. Ms. Fortson -Smith reminded Mr. Figaro that if this was a free market additional licensing would not be necessary. She also noted that this is a private industry and the less intervention by the city the better. She repeated that the cab associations would have fewer problems if they took initiative to monitor themselves. L Mr. Miller stated that in Chicago thelT are ordinances that are structured to protect the City of Chicago cabs and that it is strictly enforced. He noted that the companies in Evanston must abide by the rules. Nis. Fortson -Smith asked if a vehicle is prevented from being licensed by another municipality. Mr. O'Sullivan explained the ordinance as it pertains to licensing vehicles. Ms. Fortson -Smith noted that she felt that the drivers end up losing money when they are obligated to accept a flat rate. Mr Miller added that without a flat rate it would impossible to compete with other companies that offer similar reductions. Ms. Fortson -Smith asked whether or not a driver can truly make money with a fiat rate option. Mr. Bowie noted that there is a profit but it is not great. Ms. Fortson -Smith asked if them are multiple passengers, is the flat rate charged for each passenger or is there a differeat rate scheme. Mr. Miller explained that the flat rate is collected for the trip and a dollar is charged for each additional passenger. Ms Fortson -Smith stated that it seemed to be defeating the purpose. Mr. Miller noted that at O'Hare airport it is difficult to be a suburban cab, due to the hoops that are necessary to navigate. He further noted that part of the flat rate is an inducement for a customer to contact the company for their return to Evanston. Ms. Fortson -Smith suggested that the cab companies need to promote their services collectively. Ms. Esch suggested getting information to the public is essential for the industry's survival. She identified the Review and the Roundtable as outlets for communicating to Evanston's residents_ She recounted a recent return to O'Hare airport and the difficulty the Best Cab she had called had in finding her. She watched tine cab circle four times. When she tried to get assistance from the stand attendant, the attendant informed her that the cab needed to go to another area before it picked her up. Mr. Miller explained that it has been increasing difficult to deal with Chicago's procedures and taxes that are imposed on submrban cabs. Ms. Esch observed that the additional fees would decrease the profitability of a flat rate. Mr. Miller agreed and summarized the fee schedule that is imposed at the airport. He also noted that the airport has cabstand monitors that chase away suburban cabs. . Ms. Esch added that the cab she had called was not allowed into the inside lane near the terminal. Mr. Bowie added the drivers need to be trained to know what to do at the airport and to notify customers what to expect upon their return. Ms. Fortson -Smith stated that the City needs to work with O'Hare and the City of Chicago to make the entire mechanism function properly. Mr. Wolff didn't believe that the City of Evanston could have much impact on the policies of the City of Chicago and O'Hare Airport_ Ms. Esch asked that City staff distribute information regarding the date and times of the upcoming meetings for the ordinance review. She also asked that the board be kept apprised of any progress that is made before the next meeting of the Taxicab Advisory Board. Ms. Fortson Smith moves for adjournment. Seconded by Mr. Bova k- The meeting is adjourned at I0:47 am. dL